Homecheck

[CaptainCabinets]

Hello! I’m brand new to this board, first time dog adopter. I have a homecheck tomorrow evening and just wondering what sort of questions they ask, what they look for etc. I’m so nervous as I’m buzzing to adopt and don’t want to fall at the last hurdle over something avoidable.

Thanks in advance!

[Unoboozetrez]

You may be asked...

Why you want a dog
Your opinions on training/discipline and if you’re prepared to train/socialise
Which rooms the dog will be allowed/bot allowed in
Where the dog will sleep/eat/where water bowls will be
Who will walk/what the local area is like for walking
Which vets you’ll be registered with
If you have had dogs before/if so, which breed and your experience of them
If you have children, are they ‘on board’ with this?
What will you do with the dog when playdates come round?

Photos may be taken of boundaries, front, rear and side gardens. This is to check height of fences for security and enclosure.

We applied months ago and endured a 12 hr car journey last weekend to pick ours up. He’s been with us 3 nights now and it’s been wonderful so far. We waited for the right dog, that had come from the situation we’re currently in, despite me wanting them all!

Good luck! Xx

[Unoboozetrez]

Just looked through our forms and we were also asked about working hours and whether we’d consider an older dog male or female.

Also checked that we are non-smokers.

[Unoboozetrez]

Last thing - I promise!!
Homechecker was supposed to bring her dog so she could see how were with him. We were fully prepared so were thoroughly disappointed when he didn’t show up!

[CaptainCabinets]

Thank you, that’s so helpful!

Garden is currently not 100% dog proof but that’s an imminent plan, i.e what I won’t be able to sort out before the checker arrives tomorrow, will be sorted over the weekend. We’ve already been matched with a couple of young pups (we have cats) and this is the last step so I’m desperate for it to go well. Actually hoping the checker will bring a dog to see how the cats react as they’ve not met very many dogs before and the dogs they have met have been rather boisterous.

No kids yet, wanted to have an established, well-behaved and trained dog before we start a human family!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I can't believe that they ask if you smoke or not. I think smoking is minging, but that seems completely OTT.

Sorry, OP, doesn't answer your question!

[adaline]

@Unoboozetrez what does being a non-smoker have to do with owning a dog?

[Unoboozetrez]

I’m not a homechecker, I just got homechecked & that’s my experience.

But then I am an Ofsted registered childcarer of 20 years who got rejected by private AND council child adoption agencies on the basis that apparently I would be too committed to other children than those I actually adopted (despite having to give up work )

That’s a whole different thread. Go figure!!

Thinking of you today, OP 👍🤞🏼

[CaptainCabinets]

I’m up and fizzing with excitement and nerves! Off to get a 6ft garden gate at 10 and some chicken wire to temporarily reinforce the fences. I just remembered we have an ancient pond with no fish in so that’s also being drained and chicken wired over.

[mermaidbutmytailfelloff]

A couple of pups? Google littermate syndrome

[adaline]

Please don't get two puppies at the same time!

[SlothMama]

I'm a homechecker and it varies from rescues what they want me to ask. However the main points are;
-Your experience with dogs
-Work life and how that'll affect a dog
-Why you want a dog
-Experience with training a dog

I ask to look around the house too, I like to go upstairs not to snoop but there's been cases of hoarders hiding dogs to rescue more. I don't take pictures of the house just the garden. I'm ask to check if the garden is secure and free of dangerous objects.
Some rescues request that I don't bring my dog with me, whilst others will ask for it. It varies, but I like to bring her with me if I'm allowed to as she's very friendly and it's nice to see how they interact with her.

[SlothMama]

Also the smoking issue I am finding this more too, it's the issue of pets getting second hand smoke leading to cancers.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I assumed OP meant that a few potential puppies had been identified to then work out the best fit, not that she'd be taking two.

As for the smoking issue... Is smoking a blanket no or one of a set of considerations. I am all in favour of rescue, but I do sometimes wonder if rescues aren't over-cautious.

[SlothMama]

I've never know an applicant be turned down based upon the smoking issue, for most rescues it matters much more to them that the dog is in a safe and secure home

[CaptainCabinets]

Just to clarify, I meant we’ve been matched with a couple of potential single dogs to meet and greet. Only one will be coming home with us!

Very pleased to announce that we passed our home check!

[Unoboozetrez]

👏👏
Keep us posted!!

[CaptainCabinets]

Someone is choosing one of the pups on Saturday and whoever isn’t picked will be ours

I’m glad that’s how it’s worked out as I couldn’t possibly choose! Just brainstorming names, will give you all a pupdate () when we meet him on Sunday.

[thestarvingcaterpillar]

Fab news that you passed the homecheck, looking forward to the pupdate!

[CaptainCabinets]

Here he is! I’m head over heels in love with him already.

[Unoboozetrez]

Awwwww, amazing!
Well done to you two on making a great pair! Welcome to your new life, baby. Be happy xx

[Wolfiefan]

Oh he’s so handsome. My girl was the one someone didn’t pick. And she’s my complete heart hound and a complete joy. Wishing you many many happy years together.

[Ellmau]

Congrats, he looks adorable. Is he home now? How are the cats reacting?

[CaptainCabinets]

He’s not coming home until next week as we’ve got a few DIY things to do this week that would be very disruptive for him, but his foster carer is more than happy to hang onto him for the week as he’s such a little love!